The project is one of the largest net-metered solar photovoltaic systems in the Western Hemisphere.

HADDONFIELD, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Marina Energy, a subsidiary of South Jersey Industries (NYS: SJI) along with its development partner Solops, LLC, and Gehrlicher Solar America Corp. (GSAC), a leading solar engineering, procurement and construction company servicing the Americas, announced today the construction of one of the largest net-metered solar installations in the United States. The project will serve, and is being built adjacent to, the premises occupied by the global packaging manufacturer, Berry Plastics Corporation at their Phillipsburg, New Jersey facility.

The project was developed by Solops LLC and financed in partnership with Marina Energy. The 13 megawatt peak (MWp) ground-mounted system consists of 44,270 photovoltaic modules and 20 inverters that are expected to produce 16,785,824 kWh annually which will be purchased by Berry Plastics. This energy output is enough to save 13,055 tons of carbon dioxide, which is equal to the avoidance of emissions from 2,467 cars per year.

"We were pleased to partner with Marina Energy and Solops on this high quality project and thank Berry Plastics for their team's work and enthusiasm in the planning and construction phases.", said Dr. Stefan Parhofer, CEO of Gehrlicher Solar America Corp. "This project, which contributes to our 85 MWs of projects for 2013, solidifies our position as one of the leading solar specialist EPC companies in both New Jersey and across the Americas."

"Projects like the one serving the Berry Plastics facility are extraordinarily unique. The complexities in completing the development, finance and construction are numerous." said Matthew Rosenblum, President & CEO of Solops, LLC. "As a result, the partners we select are critical to the project's success. In Marina Energy and Gehrlicher we have the partners with the intricate knowledge of the industry to help bring projects like this one to completion." added Mr. Rosenblum.

About Gehrlicher Solar America Corp. (GSAC)

Gehrlicher Solar America Corp. is a leading independent and privately held photovoltaic system integrator which services customers in the Americas. GSAC leverages the heritage and experience of its parent company that has developed, financed, constructed and operated near 400 MWp of projects in almost 20 countries globally since 1994. With its headquarters in Springfield, NJ and offices in Boston MA, Tempe AZ, and Mexico City, Gehrlicher Solar America Corp. specializes in the engineering, procurement, construction and value added services (EPC+) as well as operations and maintenance services (O&M) of commercial and utility scale solar projects for its customers. For further information, please contact Liliana.Arrieta@gehrlicher.com

About Marina Energy LLC

Marina Energy, a subsidiary of South Jersey Industries (NYS: SJI) , specializes in the design, construction and operation of energy projects for commercial and industrial markets. Marina's projects include thermal, cogeneration, solar and landfill gas-to-electric facilities. Among Marina's largest projects is the Marina Thermal Plant that serves Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, NJ. For more information about SJI and its subsidiaries, visit www.sjindustries.com

About Solops

Solops is the creation of Founder and CEO, Matthew Rosenblum. Solops develops and implements complex finance and business structures for its' clients in order to fund solar installations nationwide. Solops also provides comprehensive asset management which includes investment strategies for the management of all SRECS and other environmental incentives. Solops works with its' clients to customize and implement a funding strategy to utilize the development of solar installations to enhance the value of the client's portfolio by improving cash flow, preserving certain internal hurdle rates of return, or adding value to existing static real estate assets. Solops has established relationships and strategic partnerships with industry leading solar integration companies and brokerage houses, private equity funds, hedge funds, large investment banks, and regional lending institutions which collectively enhances Solops's ability to provide flexible creative funding solutions. With over 180MW of projects currently in development, Solops is uniquely positioned to offer projects or combinations of projects to specifically suit the investment needs, risk tolerance and objectives of each of its clients. For more information please visit http://www.solops.com